Guard for dental-forcep joints



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JOHN A. GHOLSON, OF OLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE.

GUARD FOR DENTAL-FORCEP JOINTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,247, dated January 3, 1899. Application filed October 13, 1898. Serial No. 693,406. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ARCHER GHoL- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clarksville, in the county of Montgomery and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Guards for Dental Forcep Joints; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In the use of dental forceps or like instruments which necessarily operate in close proximity to tender portions of the anatomy there is danger of pinching the flesh of the patient in the joints of the instrument, and thereby inflicting unnecessary pain, if not serious injury. The most careful manipulation will not prevent this, and it is often found necessary to Wrap a cloth or napkin about the jointed portions of the instrument, frequently much to the discomfort of the patient and inconvenience of the operator. I propose to overcome this trouble entirely and at the same time provide a cushion and protect the joints against entrance of matter likely to clog the same, while also preventing exudation of oil used to lubricate the joint. To this end I apply to the instrument a sleeve of some suitable elastic material, which sleeve is caused to embrace the jointed members of the instrument, so as to cover and inclose the joint and all adjacent edges for a sufficient distance from the joint to insure protection to the patient against suffering from having flesh pinched between such edges.

In the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification I have illustrated an embodiment of the invention in connection with dental forceps, in which-- Figure 1 represents the instrument in perspective. Fig. 2 represents the instrument in side elevation, with the sleeve in section. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the instrument together with the sleeve.

In the drawings the letters a and b designate, respectively, the two members of the forceps, each comprising a jaw portion and a handle portion, these two members being crossed and jointed, as shown at c, and adapted to be manipulated in the customary way.

Of course there are necessarily confronting edges adjacent to the joint or pivot which in approaching each other when the jaws are closed are likely to nip the fleshy portions of the interior of a patients mouth.

In carrying out my invention I apply to the forceps a rubber sleeve e, which may he slipped over the points of the jaws, and which is carried back far enough to embrace the 66 joint and a sufficient portion of the instrument around the same to cover all confronting edges, between which there is any possibility of flesh being pinched. The edges of the sleeve are preferably doubled under to give .a smooth and finished appearance and contribute durability.

In addition to the advantage of the rubber sleeve as a guard to prevent flesh being pinched by confronting edges of the instru- 7o ment it also serves the purpose of a cushion for contact with the teeth instead of the hard metal; and, moreover, the sleeve constitutes a guard to prevent entrance into the joint of any matter likely to clog the same, and also serves to confine lubricating-oil.

Of course the invention is not confined to dental forceps, but may be embodied in other instruments.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- As a guard for dental forceps or a like jointed instrument, an elastic band or sleeve adapted to embrace the joint or pivot and parts of the pivoted members adjacent thereto, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. Gl-IOLSON.

Witnesses:

O. B. LYLE, A. R. GHoLsoN. 

